Rosenblum, Gene, 1927-

Gene Harold Rosenblum was born September 4, 1927. He graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1945 and went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Minnesota in 1949, concentrating his studies on real estate, real estate financing, advertising, and public relations.

Rosenblum's earliest work was in the family real estate business, Rosenblum Co., Inc., of which he later became chief executive. While he continued to work in the real estate field throughout his career, he soon branched out into the law and politics. While studying at William Mitchell College of Law he was a member of the State Citizens' Committee on Public Education and the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Fair Employment Practices. After his admission to the Minnesota bar in 1959, he went on to serve as assistant corporation counsel for the city of St. Paul, assistant city attorney of St. Paul, aide to St. Paul mayor Thomas Byrne, as well as special counsel to the attorney general of Minnesota. An active member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party since youth, he held several leadership roles in the Young Democratic-Farmer-Labor Club (YDFL) including chairman of the Ramsey County YDFL, chairman of the Minnesota YDFL Civil Rights Committee, and first vice chairman of the Minnesota YDFL. Rosenblum's political career entered the local spotlight when Republican St. Paul Mayor George J. Vavoulis removed him from his position as chairman of the mayor's revenue study committee following Rosenblum's decision to run as the DFL/Labor endorsed candidate for city comptroller of St. Paul in 1962.

Rosenblum remained active in civic and Jewish organizations all his life, holding leadership roles in the Junior Chamber of Commerce, B'nai B'rith, the Minnesota Jewish Council, Temple of Aaron, the St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission, and the Association for Non-Smokers Rights. In later years, he became involved in health care-related issues, volunteering for organizations including the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association/ Policyholders Rights Organization (of which he was president from 1991-1992) and the Minnesota Long Term Health Care Campaign.

From the guide to the Gene H. Rosenblum papers., 1942-2002 (bulk 1949-1979, 1990-2002)., (Minnesota Historical Society)